The Study of pH in Nasal Secretion in Normal and Chronic Rhinosinusitis

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasal mucosal pH have a direct effect on the alteration of the physio-chemical characteristics of the nasal mucosa. Previous studies have reported the normal mucosal pH to be within the range of 5.3-7.0, mucosal pH with sinusitis to be within 6.8-7.6 and mucosal pH with rhinitis to be within 7.2-8.3. However, no consideration was paid to the conditions that influence the pH and there were no measured pH value by different methods. This study was therefore designed with the latest trend method in pH measurement with the purpose of evaluating pH in nasal secretion and creating an objective parameter for a beneficial manifestation of mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the pH values from 30 normal control group (group 1), 30 patients with chronic sinusitis (group 2), and 30 patients with allergic rhinitis (group 3). Nasal secretion was obtained through filter paper absorption method and, using a micro pH electrode with pH meter, pH was measured in nasal secretion. RESULTS: pH in nasal secretion in this study was higher than the nasal mucosal pH from previously reported studies. pH values in nasal secretion showed a significant difference between three groups (group 17.86, group28.06, group 38.24) in this study (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The measurement of pH in nasal secretion seems to be a useful parameter for monitoring and assessing the state of nasal mucosa. And we recommend this study as a method for obtaining an objective parameter for pH measurement in nasal cavity.